Facility Notes

Terms of the Bridgestone Arena lease are set to automatically renew June 30

In Nashville, Michael Cass noted a deadline for the Nashville Metro Council to tell the Predators “if it plans to terminate the hockey team’s lease incentives was extended by about four months Tuesday, allowing more time to negotiate new terms.” The terms of the Bridgestone Arena lease, which “are worth an estimated $7.8 million this fiscal year, are set to automatically renew June 30 unless Metro gives the Predators notice of termination.” Nashville Mayor Karl Dean’s administration said that it “will work with the Predators on a new incentive package that will offer less city money up front” (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 12/7).

EVENTS CALENDAR: In Chicago, Jared Hopkins noted the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority board met Tuesday and “some members questioned whether the agency was aggressively pursuing non-baseball events like concerts.” Reflecting calls by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel “to examine the finances of the government agency that built and operates U.S. Cellular Field, the mayor's three newly appointed members and Gov. Pat Quinn's four appointees did just that.” Board members suggested “hosting the annual NHL Winter Classic -- which was held at Wrigley Field in 2009 -- and more cooperation with the convention industry.” A management agreement stipulated that revenue from non-baseball events “goes to the authority, but it sometimes needs approval from the team for such use of the stadium” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/7).

BE UP FRONT: In Boston, Brian McGrory wrote Foxborough “may or may not be the best site for a destination resort,” and developer Steve Wynn “may or may not be the best person to build it.” But Wynn and Patriots Owner Robert Kraft “need to be more forthcoming than they were in their odd debut” discussing the project with residents. McGrory: “The pressure’s not on Foxborough, but on them” (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/7).

BANK ON IT: In Omaha, Joe Duggan reported the new home of Univ. of Nebraska basketball “will be called the Pinnacle Bank Arena.” Pinnacle Bank will pay “$11.25 million over 25 years for the naming rights for the arena.” The 16,000-seat sports and entertainment complex is being built in Lincoln's Haymarket district (Omaha WORLD-HERALD, 12/6).